For collectors, it’s important that everything is original.
Vintage Turntables are back in the loop and lovers of great music can actually collect some of these pieces one ebay. One of the trending models is the EMT 927, the deck that made EMT’s reputation when it was launched in 1951. Restorer Ing JP Hans van Vliet recently sold one – a former Swedish-radio EMT 927F with two EMT arms but no cartridge – for €31,500, and currently has the 930 for €9,275, complete with an EMT arm, cartridge and new amplifier.
The 927 and 930 models are powered by idler drive – a small wheel turning the heavy metal platter. These were superseded in 1977 by the 950, which was direct drive, whereby the motor attached directly to the platter.
EMT not only made turntables, but also arms, cartridges and preamps. For collectors, it’s important that everything is original. “You can take for granted the quality of their ‘sound’ only if the machine is an all-EMT system. Any ‘tweak’ will unavoidably modify the balance of these wonderful machines and very probably impair their performance.” And performance is of paramount importance – definitely trumping pulchritude. Which is fortunate, as with their grey-painted metal, they look like lab technology.
More affordable is the 401 launched in 1965 – a rather flash design with cool chrome detailing. Rogers bought his model (complete with plinth) in 2003 for £300, but a restored 401 from Peak HiFi is now £975. A good hunting ground for unrestored 401s (at roughly half the restored price) is eBay, as are online forums such as Hifiwigwam.com, Thecrossovernetwork.co.uk and Vinylengine.com. But a motor will need a plinth, an arm and a cartridge – which together will cost from about £1,135 from a company like Loricraft.
Available on ebay.com; www.audioscope.net